Patreon Members
Welcome to Your Members Hub
Your central hub for Florida food growing tools, plant guides, exclusive videos, and direct access to Jermaine. Everything is clickable and leads somewhere useful.
Go to Patreon Now Food Forest MasterclassYour Member Resources
Click any card to access the resource directly
Monthly Plant Lists on Patreon
Each month Jermaine posts a curated list of exactly what to plant based on your Florida zone. Log in to Patreon to see the current month post.
View Posts on PatreonMembers-Only Video Library
Exclusive videos covering soil prep, food forest design, companion planting, and harvesting. Only visible when you are logged in to Patreon.
Watch Members VideosFlorida Food Forest Masterclass
A full guide to designing and planting a productive food forest in Florida, from canopy layers to ground cover. Available right here on the site.
Open MasterclassFlorida Gardening Book Bundles
Curated book and guide bundles hand-picked for Florida growers. Everything from beginner vegetable gardens to advanced food forest design.
Browse Book BundlesFree Florida Planting Calendar
A month-by-month planting calendar for Florida vegetables, herbs, and fruit trees. Download it and keep it in your garden space.
Get Planting CalendarAsk Jermaine Directly
Post your gardening questions in the Patreon community tab and get a direct response from Jermaine. This is the fastest way to get real answers.
Open Community TabFlorida Zone Reference Guide
Know your zone before you plant anything
Florida USDA Hardiness Zones at a Glance
Florida spans zones 8 through 11. Your zone determines frost risk, what grows year-round, and how to time your plantings. Use the table below as a quick reference, then click the link to find your exact zip code zone.
| Zone | Region | Winter Low | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8a / 8b | Panhandle (Pensacola, Tallahassee) | 10 to 20 F | Frost likely Nov through Feb. Cool-season crops thrive in winter. |
| 9a | North FL (Jacksonville, Gainesville) | 20 to 25 F | Light frosts possible. Great for blueberries and citrus with protection. |
| 9b | Central FL (Orlando, Tampa) | 25 to 30 F | Rare frost. Tropical fruits possible. Year-round planting is achievable. |
| 10a / 10b | South FL (Fort Lauderdale, Naples) | 30 to 40 F | Frost-free most years. Papayas, plantains, and moringa thrive. |
| 11 | Florida Keys | Above 40 F | True tropical. Avocado, mango, breadfruit, and cacao grow well. |
What to Plant by Season
A general Florida planting guide. For your zone-specific monthly list, check Patreon.
Cool Season: October through February
This is prime growing season for most of Florida. Temperatures drop, pests slow down, and most vegetables thrive.
| Vegetable | Zones |
|---|---|
| Kale, Collards, Swiss Chard | 8 through 11 |
| Tomatoes (fall planting) | 9 through 11 |
| Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower | 8 through 10 |
| Carrots, Beets, Radishes | 8 through 10 |
| Basil, Parsley, Cilantro | 8 through 11 |
| Lettuce, Arugula, Spinach | 8 through 11 |
Warm Season: March through September
Heat and humidity take over. Focus on tropical crops, sweet potatoes, and heat-tolerant varieties. Zones 10 through 11 grow these year-round.
| Vegetable | Zones |
|---|---|
| Sweet Potatoes | 8 through 11 |
| Okra | 8 through 11 |
| Southern Peas, Cowpeas | 8 through 11 |
| Moringa | 9b through 11 |
| Cassava | 9b through 11 |
| Callaloo, Amaranth | 9 through 11 |
New Member Quick Start
Follow these steps in order to get the most from your membership
- Find Your Hardiness Zone Go to planthardiness.ars.usda.gov, enter your zip code, and write down your zone. Every planting decision starts here.
- Download Your Planting Calendar Get the free Florida Planting Calendar so you always know what planting window you are in.
- Check This Month's Plant List on Patreon Log in and go to patreon.com/GrowFitFL/posts. Find the most recent monthly plant list and compare it to your zone.
- Watch the Beginner Video Series Head to the video section on Patreon. Start with the food forest and soil building videos if you are new.
- Read the UF/IFAS Guide for Your First Crop The University of Florida publishes free detailed growing guides for every vegetable. Find yours at gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu.
- Post a Question in the Patreon Community Share your first question or a photo in the community tab. Jermaine responds personally to members.
Trusted Tools and Reference Sites
Every link below opens a free, trusted, working resource
USDA Zone Finder
Enter your zip code to get your official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. This is the starting point for every planting decision you make.
Find Your ZoneFlorida Frost Date Calculator
Enter your city or zip to get your average first and last frost dates. Essential for knowing when to start seeds and when your growing season ends.
Check Frost DatesUF/IFAS Florida Vegetable Guides
The University of Florida's free, research-based guides for growing every edible crop in Florida. Covers planting dates, pest management, soil needs, and more.
Browse Crop GuidesFlorida Soil Information
Florida's sandy soils are low in nutrients and organic matter. This UF resource explains how to assess and amend your specific soil type before planting.
Learn About Florida SoilsFlorida Pest and Disease ID
UF's pest management database lets you look up any insect or disease affecting your plants. Find organic and conventional management options by crop.
Identify PestsFlorida-Friendly Landscaping
State-backed program with water-wise plant lists and irrigation guides for Florida. Reduces water use while growing more food, especially useful in dry seasons.
Water-Smart GardeningFlorida Climate Center
Track historical rainfall averages, temperature ranges, and weather patterns for your county. Use this to plan irrigation and know when to expect dry spells.
Florida Climate DataFlorida Native Plant Database
The Florida Native Plant Society's searchable database. Native plants reduce maintenance and attract beneficial insects to your garden year-round.
Browse Native PlantsTropical Edible Plants in Florida
A complete guide to tropical and subtropical food-producing plants that grow in Florida, including crops not covered in standard American gardening books.
Explore Tropical CropsYou Are Part of the Inner Circle
Thank you for your support. Your membership makes it possible to keep sharing practical, honest Florida food growing knowledge. Go to Patreon to access your latest member content.
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